RANDAL.--"Hist--you mistake, you mistake." SQUIRE (leaving Randal's arm and seizing Levy's).--"Were you speaking of Frank Hazeldean?" BARON.--"My dear sir, excuse me; I never mention names before strangers." SQUIRE.--"Strangers again! Man, I am the boy's father! Speak out, sir," and his hand closed on Levy's arm with the strength of an iron vice. BARON.--"Gently; you hurt me, sir; but I excuse your feelings. Randal, you are to blame for leading me into this indiscretion; but I beg to assure Mr. Hazeldean, that though his son has been a little extravagant--" RANDAL.--"Owing chiefly to the arts of an abandoned woman." BARON.--"Of an abandoned woman; still he has shown more prudence than you would suppose; and this very post-obit is a proof of it. A simple act of that kind has enabled him to pay off bills that were running on till they would have ruined even the Hazeldean estate; whereas a charge on the reversion of the Casino--" SQUIRE.--"He has done it then? He has signed a post-obit?" RANDAL.--"No, no; Levy must be wrong." BARON.--"My dear Leslie, a man of Mr. Hazeldean's time of life can not have your romantic boyish notions. He must allow that Frank has acted in this like a lad of sense--very good head for business has my young friend Frank! And the best thing Mr. Hazeldean can do is quietly to buy up the post-obit, and thus he will place his son henceforth in his own power." SQUIRE.--"Can I see the deed with my own eyes?" BARON.--"Certainly, or how could you be induced to buy it up? But on one condition; you must not betray me to your son. And, indeed, take my advice, and don't say a word to him on the matter." SQUIRE.--"Let me see it, let me see it with my own eyes. His mother else will never believe it--nor will I." BARON.--"I can call on you this evening." SQUIRE.--"Now--now." BARON.--"You can spare me, Randal; and you yourself can open to Mr. Egerton the other affair, respecting Lansmere. No time should be lost, lest L'Estrange suggest a candidate." _Randal_ (whispering).--"Never mind me.--This is more important. (Aloud)--Go with Mr. Hazeldean. My dear kind friend (to the Squire), do not let this vex you so much. After all, it is what nine young men out of ten would do in the same circumstances. And it is best you should know it; you may save Frank from farther ruin, and prevent, perhaps, this very marriage." "We will see," exclaimed the Squire, hastily. "Now, Mr. Levy, come." Levy and the Squire walked on not arm-in-arm, but side by side. Randal proceeded to Egerton's house. "I am glad to see you, Leslie," said the ex-minister. "What is it I have heard? My nephew, Frank Hazeldean, proposes to marry Madame di Negra against his father's consent? How could you suffer him to entertain an idea so wild? And how never confide it to me?"